Dark Brown (1963 film)
| Company type | Television drama |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Television drama |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
Dark Brown is an Australian television drama from 1963, adapted from a British stage play that the ABC had previously produced in 1957.
This production marked the second live drama to be recorded at the ABC studios in Brisbane, following the earlier Vacancy in Vaughan Street. It was filmed at the Toowong facilities of the ABC. During this period, Australian dramatic works were infrequently produced and predominantly created in Sydney and Melbourne.
Plot
Set in the year 1880, the story follows Jenny Brown, who becomes uneasy about her husband Arthur’s frequent journeys to Eastborne to visit his sick aunt amid a backdrop of unresolved murders. Subsequently, Mrs Persephelous, Arthur’s aunt, pays a visit to Jenny.
Cast
- Barbara Wheelton portraying Jenny Brown
- Ray Dunlop as Arthur Brown
- Babette Stephens in the role of Mrs Persephelous
- Betty Ross playing Miss Tasker, the shop assistant
- Gwen Wheeler as Mrs Collins, Jenny’s mother
- Beverly Bates cast as Bella, Jenny’s cousin
- Glen Stirratt as Fred, Bella’s fiancé
Production
The set designs by Bernard Hides and Bill Collyer recreated both the parlour behind Arthur’s tobacconist shop and the shop itself, thereby broadening the spatial scope beyond that of the original stage play. To imitate tobacco, peat moss was utilized.
Filmed at ABC’s Toowong studios, the production was broadcast live. During transmission, the actors performed scenes again without costumes or scenery to enhance their delivery. Director Bob Cubbage admitted that they were still gaining experience and stressed the importance of ongoing development. Ray Menmuir, an ABC director, visited Brisbane during filming to offer support and advice.
See also
- Vacancy in Vaughan Street (1963)
- Crisis (1963)
- The Monkey Cage (1965)
- The Quiet Season (1965)
- Ring Out Wild Bells (1964)
- The Absence of Mr Sugden (1965)
- Arabesque for Atoms (1965)
- A Sleep of Prisoners (1961)
External links
- Dark Brown at IMDb